Lawmakers put the vote in the people’s hands; $120 bond to repair capital

Lawmakers put the vote in the people’s hands; $120 bond to repair capital

Credit: Kim Uhl/CNN

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted to put a bond proposal before the people of Oklahoma to repair the crumbling Capitol.

House Joint Resolution 1033, by House Speaker Jeff Hickman, asks the people of Oklahoma to approve a $120 million bond issue to conduct much needed repairs and renovations to the Capitol building. For decades, the Capitol has suffered from neglect and is literally falling apart on the inside and the outside.

“The longer we wait, the more expensive the repairs will be,” said House Speaker Hickman, R-Fairview. “This is one option that will get the job done.”

For decades, Capitol maintenance crews have had to deal with sewage lines breaking underneath the Capitol. Recently, work crews were forced to erect protective scaffolding to stop stone from falling on state employees and visitors.

“The seat of our government has been littered with yellow caution barriers and falling rock for too long,” said House Speaker Hickman. “The people of Oklahoma have elected us to be good stewards of their tax money and infrastructure. The Capitol’s current condition is an embarrassment and the people deserve better. The House will continue to work with Governor Fallin and the Senate to find solutions to our infrastructure needs.”

Senate Bill 2044 which authorizes a $160 million bond issue for the Capitol Building without a vote of the people passed the Senate and is headed to the House for consideration.

If approved by both chambers, the Secretary of State will place HJR 1033 on the November 2014 ballot.